Raised Platform for Waterer and Feeder to keep bedding dry and clean!

[imnukensc]

I was under the impression that horizontal nipples are to hard for new chicks. The waterer will have both Horizontal and vertical nipples. I love the horizontal nipples!!

My chicks go on horizontal nipples at 2-3 weeks old.

 

[aart]

I was under the impression that horizontal nipples are to hard for new chicks. The waterer will have both Horizontal and vertical nipples. I love the horizontal nipples!!

Yeah, it can take them awhile.
I use open waterers and have a separate HN vessel available.
Am vehemently opposed to using VN's....
....they just make a mess, can't put the vessel down, they leak, etcetcetc.

I would NOT put both types of nipples in the same container...
....would ruin the vessel, IMO, and the heights don't work together.

 

[blackdog043]

I use a chick water up to 2 weeks then use horizontal nipples. I made this for my brooder.

 

[paneubert]

I use open waterers and have a separate HN vessel available.

You have them both available at the same time? Do you find that really young chicks check them out or use them? When I did horizontal with quail, the babies were on them by about 2 weeks. With the massive size difference between a 2 week old quail and 2 week old chicken, I bet horizontal could work for some pretty young chickens.

 

[aart]

You have them both available at the same time? Do you find that really young chicks check them out or use them?

Yep.
Their natural curiosity, plus some encouragement from me has them checking them out right away, some chicks get the HN's sooner than others....and once one of them 'get's it' the others mob on.
I start pulling the open waterer for most the day during the second week or so,
leaving it out morning and evening to ensure hydration.
Have no hard number of days that it takes, just observation and watching the volumes(I always fill the HN bottles to a mark so I can see how much they are consuming).

 

[RoosterML]

One concern I have is if I use my small open waterer is that mama will knock it over walking around. Guess I could make some type of box to keep her from doing so.
I was thinking I would use a 2 gallon waterer with VN on the bottom for the chicks and HN for Mama. This way they both use the same waterer.
@aart I see what your saying about having one vessel with both types. I agree need to be careful when setting down.

 

[aart]

One concern I have is if I use my small open waterer is that mama will knock it over walking around.

Put it near a wall, or better yet in a corner, less chance of her knocking it over.

I agree need to be careful when setting down.

Can only set VN vessels down when empty, or they just drain all the water.

 

[RoosterML]

I took @aart advise and decided not to waste a good water vessel so I used an old gallon jug to make the chick waterer.
While using the VN hope they get use to the HN. I have it set up now so I can see if it drips or not. So far no leaks.

 

[paneubert]

I took @aart advise and decided not to waste a good water vessel so I used an old gallon jug to make the chick waterer.
While using the VN hope they get use to the HN. I have it set up now so I can see if it drips or not. So far no leaks.
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The tricky aspect of using both in the same container is that the heights are so different. Hard to tell how high those are, but I would bet the horizontals get no action since the verticals are so much easier to access. Until they are big enough that the vertical nipples take a lot of crouching/bending to access, and the horizontals suddenly are at a good height.

 

[RoosterML]

The tricky aspect of using both in the same container is that the heights are so different. Hard to tell how high those are, but I would bet the horizontals get no action since the verticals are so much easier to access. Until they are big enough that the vertical nipples take a lot of crouching/bending to access, and the horizontals suddenly are at a good height.

I don't expect them to use the HN at first but I like them to have the opportunity to play with them. It's roughly an 1 1/2" difference in height so I'll just lay down a block under the HN to increase the ease of use. I don't really care for the open waterers because they always get junk in them. I like the idea of the VN over the open waterer so I figured I would give it a go. I do have the open waterer if all else fails.